TINKERING ZONE
A permanent workshop for future innovators
National Museum of Science and Technology "Leonardo da Vinci"
Via San Vittore 21, Milan
Milan, Friday, September 26, 2014. The Tinkering Zone opens today, during the European
Researchers' Night. It is designed by the National Museum of Science and Technology, inspired by
the Exploratorium in San Francisco, produced with the assistance of the Lombardy Region, main
partner Italian Esso, partners Henkel and Tissot. It is a permanent workshop dedicated to
tinkering, making, engineering and design.
The new permanent interactive area offers a different way to experience science and technology,
where everyone is involved actively in a personalized experience, where creativity is a tool to
relate to and understand the world that surrounds us.
Tinkering is a method to explore, understand and change the world. It works at the intersection
between art and science and it integrates technology, engineering and design.
The complex, global, technological and fast world of the twenty-first century requires citizens who
are "creators, investigators, actors, improvisers, makers, science-oriented thinkers", who can make
choices to meet daily challenges, in their personal and professional dimensions.
Therefore, it is necessary to develop creativity, innovation, critical and systemic thinking,
entrepreneurship and flexibility - skills that are considered key in contemporary society.
Museums have always interpreted and represented this changing world and they have participated
in its construction by creating experiences aimed at strengthening the skills of citizens and
collecting their voice.
The important debate that is developing today in museums and science centers on pedagogies and
emerging global challenges has led the National Museum of Science and Technology to adopt an
innovative pedagogical methodology called “tinkering”, born at the Exploratorium in San Francisco
from research projects in collaboration with MIT in Boston.
Tinkering is a term that still does not find a proper translation in Italian. The methodology reflects
both the current educational trends and the emerging makers culture. It promotes personal
initiative and active involvement in science-oriented activities that combine making and thinking. It
also promotes skills and competencies that can be used in different contexts and become useful in
life. Participating in these activities is very simple. No specific prior knowledge is required.
Everyone can achieve something, and those who are more capable or passionate, or have more
time to devote to the activity, will produce more complex results. Tinkering helps children and
adults work well together, each with his/her own way of doing, using different materials in
activities that combine art, science and technology. For these reasons, tinkering is a method that
works in an institution such as the Museum.
The Tinkering Zone is a permanent innovative and functional area designed by the Museum. It is
not a FabLab nor a maker space.
Its innovative character lies in the fact that it integrates four methods: tinkering, making, design
and engineering, not to be interpreted as activities aimed at the construction of product but as
educational approaches, methods to investigate and understand science, technology and the world
at large .
For the first time the four approaches are combined in a single space, proposing a vision that
brings out the points of connection and the distinct nature of each one of them.
The area is kept alive with a program of activities for different audiences, fostering exchanges
between museums, schools, universities, makers, craftsmen and artists at local and European
level.
For the audience of the Museum the Tinkering Zone will be open on weekends and holiday
periods.
PRESS OFFICE
National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci of Milan
Deborah Chiodoni - Paola Cuneo
T +39 02 48555 343 / 450
C +39 339 1536030
stampa@museoscienza.it
www.museoscienza.org
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR VISITORS
National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci of Milan
Via San Vittore 21 - 20123 Milano
www.museoscienza.org | info@museoscienza.it | T 02 48 555 1
PRESS MATERIAL
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